Elementary School level

FAST – Elementary School level

FAST® – Elementary School level reaches children ages 3-10 at early developmental stages, with the aim of reducing critical barriers to success they may encounter during their initial introduction to school. A family’s structure and stability create the foundation for children to be successful in school, and FAST Activities are designed to strengthen family bonds, empower parents, increase positive communication and improve the child’s overall academic performance and emotional functioning.

In a FAST Cycle, families meet for eight weeks, followed by two years of monthly FASTWORKS® meetings. The weekly sessions follow a prescribed format of activities whose effectiveness have been demonstrated through research. Each evening begins with parents and children participating in activities as a family unit. This builds cohesiveness and provides opportunities for parents to strengthen their role in the family hierarchy. Parents and children then participate in separate peer activities to build social capital and relationships within their communities. Next, a parent and target child (the FAST Child) come together to engage in focused one-to-one play time that enhances family interactions and often results in better behavior by the child in school and at home. The evening concludes with activities that reinforce the importance of the family unit, reciprocity, and ritual.

FAST Sessions are led by a team that empowers parents and connects families to school and community. This collaborative team is culturally and ethnically representative of the families participating in the program, and it includes:

For the first FAST Cycle, one Parent Partner whose child is not currently participating in FAST, but attends the school in which FAST is being held. For FAST Programs that have completed one or more 8-week FAST Cycles, this role is replaced by two to three FAST Graduate Parents;

One School Partner, ideally a classroom teacher for the targeted student population;

Two Community Partners who are knowledgeable about local community resources, often with expertise in substance abuse prevention or mental health and emotional well-being;

Families & Schools Together was awarded a $5,000 charitable grant in November 2017 from the Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation. The investment will fund the pilot of FAST® at One City Early Learning Centers in Madison, Wisconsin. The Foundation’s contribution will

Madison, Wis. (May 30, 2017) – Families & Schools Together, Inc. received a generous grant in the amount of $10,000 from The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times. The grant will support the pilot of FAST®, the

Bring FAST® to your community

Families & Schools Together, Inc. provides the structure, materials and training to launch and sustain FAST® in schools and communities, across regions, and around the world. Contact us to learn how we can help you bring this life-changing program to your area.